An afternoon picking w/ Andrew Marlin & the Griffith Loar

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Thought folks might enjoy seeing photos from an afternoon picking session over at Matt Ruhland's place yesterday (and a truck load of great mandolins) on a rare down day on Andrew's current west coast tour...especially this short video of Andrew playing the "Griffith Loar". I took this closeup of Andrew's right hand which shows his cool tremolo style...picking up on top of the finger board

Thank you! That was very cool to see and hear.

Well, now! Glad to see he's up and running. :mandosmiley: And nice to see so many nice mandolins gathered together. There's a family portrait! :mandosmiley:

FYI the group mando photo includes: The Griffith Loar, a copy of the Griffith Loar that Max Girouard built in collab with Bruce Harvie, Andrew's Nugget and Gilchrist F5's, my Ruhland F5 #35 and a Sullivan F5 called Roy, a Red Diamond F5 (July 9th Voicing), a 2004 Kimble 2-point, Ruhland A5 #50 and Ruhland A5 #69 3/4 - Matt's personal mandolin. Quite a herd

Wow, what a day!

Consider me green with envy!

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Originally Posted by EvanElk

a Sullivan F5 called Roy

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Must be a story behind that?

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Originally Posted by Bryan Gerrells

Must be a story behind that?

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There is Bryan! Roy is short for corduroy. John experimented with the staining of the top and did something to bring out the texture of the grain so it has the appearance and slightly bumpy texture of corduroy. I'll post a close up of the grain shortly

That would be sensory overload.

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Originally Posted by Bryan Gerrells

Must be a story behind that?

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Attachment 201132 Roy's top

The Griffith Loar never ceases to amaze me with it´s - what I think - perfect tone. I also like the sunburst very much, the aestetics and all. Call me prejudiced.

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Originally Posted by grassrootphilosopher

The Griffith Loar never ceases to amaze me with its - what I think - perfect tone. I also like the sunburst very much, the aestetics and all. Call me prejudiced.

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I agree Olaf - the Griffith Loar has some special chemistry and mojo going on that luthiers can talk about in a more technical way...it does differ in design from most A5's...but subjectively, it is quite otherworldly to play and listen to. I have only played 4 other Loars and the Griffith is unique. I'm lucky that the owner lives here in Portland. He has owned it since 1976 and cannot play much any more, but is incredibly generous and loves to hear others play it. I've been to a couple jam sessions where he has brought the Griffith out so it can get into the hands of some great musicians. Hearing Andrew Marlin play it was pretty darn cool.

I was extremely lucky to have been a part of this. Andrew is one of my mandolin heroes, so to get to meet him, pick tunes with him AND to get to play and hear the Griffith Loar (along with all those other world class instruments) was about as good as it gets. We spent a few hours just pickin tunes and passing all of these fine instruments around. Super grateful to Matt and Evan for making this happen.

How awesome..such volume and tone!…

Sublime.
Rarified.
More Griffith A, please.

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Originally Posted by Eric Oliver

Sublime.
Rarified.
More Griffith A, please.

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I think Joshua also posted this clip I shot somewhere else in the Cafe Forum so apologies for that, but I thought I'd park it here too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwgIBqiuc44

Well, I'm a bit late to the afterparty, but I wanted to say thanks to Evan for putting this all together! And, Josh, your Monroe style gets better every time I hear you pick!

One of the highlights for me was Andrew's Nugget. That thing is goll durned glorious! Practically no ceiling. Really nice of him to take the time to hang with us common folk, and share a couple of his gems.

One more thing, I cut some new pins & reinstalled the pickguard on Mrs. Griffith. It was bugging me that someone took it off, and she was accumulating way too many scratches. The owner was happy to have it back on, and big thanks to him for sharing with the class. Great, generous fella!

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